When it comes to famed foodie culture, a vibrant restaurant scene, and world-renowned street food, it does not get much better than Bangkok. The capital of Thailand is considered the premier destination for street food in the world. However, the restaurant and fine dining experiences are equally impressive. Thai food is celebrated and enjoyed by millions, if not billions, of people across the world. With endless varieties and unique tastes, it’s no surprise why it’s becoming such a popular choice of cuisine. As the biggest city in Thailand, Bangkok has some of the most incredible Thai dishes from all corners of the country. This guide will list some of the most popular local and upscale restaurants in Bangkok bound to satisfy all your Thai food cravings!
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Best Local Thai Restaurants in Bangkok
Jeh O Chula
Spicy Tom Yum soup is an integral part of Thai cuisine, and arguably no place serves it better than Jeh O. They serve huge bowls of Tom Yum with fresh seafood or tofu, along with many other delicious local Thai dishes. A regular entry in the Michelin guide and a receiver of the Bib Gourmand, the queues to dine here can take up to 2 hours! This is an extremely popular local eatery that we recommend all visitors try out at least once.
- Address: 113 ซอย จรัสเมือง Rong Muang, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
- Opening Times: Opens every day from 4:30 pm – 12:00 am
- Recommended dishes: Tom Yum Noodle Bowl with Seafood, Deep Fried Duck, Deep Fried Pork Belly, Morning Glory, and Steamed Clams.
- Prices: The prices for the famous Tom Yum bowls depend on the toppings, starting from around $3.5 USD (120 THB) and going upwards of $23 USD (800 THB). Other dishes range between $1.4-5.7 USD (50-200 THB).
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Pe Aor Tom Yum Goong
Another famous local spot serving top-quality Tom Yum soup, Pe Aor Tom Yum Goong gives Jeh O a run for its money. This much-loved restaurant is considered by many locals to serve the most authentic Tom Yum in the country. They top up their soups with massive river prawns or lobsters and use shrimp fat to thicken the broth. This creamy and succulent dish is a must-try!
- Address: 68, 51 Phetchaburi Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
- Opening Times: Open from Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Kuay teow tom yum goong nam khon, Tom Yum soup with fish, Soft omelet with shrimp and shrimp sauce.
- Prices: typically around $1.4-3.5 USD (50-120 THB) for regular dishes, while the big Tom Yum bowl with Lobster and seafood costs $43 USD (1500 THB).
Thipsamai
Anybody who loves Thai Food will have a soft spot for a good Pad Thai. Thipsamai is considered by many locals and travelers to have the best delicious version in the world. From the moment their doors open, there is a long queue to try out this iconic restaurant. The two popular Pad Thai versions are wrapped in an omelet or cooked in shrimp head fat. You can’t go wrong with either choice, as both are incredibly delicious.
- Address: 313 315 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
- Opening Times: Open from Wednesday – Monday, from 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Recommended dishes: Pad Thai wrapped in egg, Pad Thai with Shrimp head fat, Icy coconut juice, fresh orange juice.
- Prices: There are various Pad Thai versions, and most typically cost around $2.4-3.4 USD (85-120 THB). Some signature dishes and an option with giant river prawns can cost between $11.4-14.2 USD (400-500 THB).
Thanee Khao Moo Daeng Roasted & Bbq Pork Rice
Serving what many consider the best crispy red bbq pork (Khao Moo Daeng) in Bangkok, Thanee Khao Moo Daeng has been around for nearly 50+ years. The crispy pork is served with a plate of rice, a boiled egg, a few slices of cucumber, and a generous amount of the famous red sauce. The pork is super crispy, the prices are cheap, and the red sauce is sublime. If you love crispy pork, you cannot miss this place!
- Address: (Near BTS Ari Station). QGGV+XC4, Phahonyothin Rd, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400
- Opening times: Opens every day from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Rice with crispy pork and boiled egg, Rice with red pork and boiled egg, and Noodles with Crispy pork, red pork, and wonton.
- Prices: All regular dishes are $1.7 USD (60THB), with big portions of the crispy red pork costing around $6 USD (210 THB).
Som Tam Jay So
Green Papaya Salad or Som Tam is another classic Thai dish from the Isan region of the country’s North East. Som Tam Jay So is one of the city’s most authentic and popular Isan restaurants and is well-known among the locals. The version here is prepared with fresh crab, chilies, fermented fish sauce, snails, peanuts, and tomatoes. The final product is an intense, pungent, yet extremely delicious dish celebrated and loved throughout Thailand. The restaurant is very small and is more or less like a street food stall. Despite its humble decor, it serves authentic and fresh dishes from the Isan region.
- Address: Phiphat 2, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
- Opening times: Open every day from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sundays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Som tam Tam Pa and grilled chicken.
- Prices: Around $1.4 USD (50 THB) for the Somtam dishes and $0.4-0.5 USD (17-20 THB) per grilled chicken wing.
Best Casual Thai Restaurants in Bangkok
Madam Saranair
If you’re looking for a place that serves dishes from every corner of Thailand, then Madam Saranair is a great option. From spicy Southern Thai curries, sour salads from the North East, aromatic sausages from the North, or classics like Tom Yum or Pad Thai, Madam Saranair never disappoints. This is also a great place if you’re a novice in Thai cuisine and want an introduction to Thailand’s culinary scene’s various tastes and flavors.
- Address: 139/1 Soi Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke Soi 1 North Klongtoey, sub-district Watthana, Bangkok 10110
- Opening Times: Open every day from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Deep-fried soft-shell Crab with Garlic and Pepper, Steamed Sea Bass, Larb Moo, Fried Fish cakes, and Omelette with Oysters.
- Prices: Expect to pay between $3.8-12 USD (135-420 THB) per main course and around $2-3 USD (70-90 THB) for fresh fruit shakes.
The House of Smooth Curry
Another great choice to dine at if you wish to try the most popular dishes from the different regions of the country. The House of Smooth Curry sources its ingredients from local Thai suppliers, giving their food a truly authentic taste. The ambiance is elegant, and the decor is reminiscent of a Royal Thai palace of the 1920s and 30s. The dishes match the decor with great presentation, good portions, and, most importantly, delicious authentic food. They also have a great wine selection, and the prices are very reasonable considering the ingredients’ quality and the portions’ size.
- Address: 61 Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
- Opening times: Open daily from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Crab meat and vermicelli noodles in red curry, deep fried Grouper with Mango salad, River Prawns in Coconut Milk, char-grilled Pork Spareribs, and Coconut ice cream with fried banana.
- Prices: Expect to pay between $13-23.3 USD (450-812 THB) per main course dish and between $7.5-11.5 USD (260-400 THB) for dessert.
Sri Trat
Sri Trat Thai restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Bangkok, serves incredibly delectable and spicy curries from Thailand’s eastern provinces. Food from the far Eastern parts of Thailand is not as popular, so this is the best place to try their various dishes. The ambiance and vibe at the restaurant are very laid back, and the food is sublime. The portions are great, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality of your dining experience!
- Address: 90 Sukhumvit 33 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
- Opening times: Open daily from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Galangal and Coconut milk soup with Chicken, Massaman curry with beef or chicken, Red Curry with Crab, House Special minced Pork and Cha Muang Leaf relish, and the Sweet and Sour Pork belly stew.
- Prices: Appetizers start from $4.6 USD (160 THB), and main courses are between $6.3-17 USD (220-590 THB). Desserts are all $3 USD (100 THB) per dish.
Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Bangkok
Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin
Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin is considered one of Bangkok’s best fine dining experiences. This 1 star Michelin restaurant offers sophisticated Thai cuisine conceptualized by chef Henrik Yde-Andersen. This is a great place to experience the art of Thai gastronomy, and the food and presentations are world-class. Sra Bua is one of the few Thai restaurants in the world with a Michelin star rating. Despite having a Michelin rating, the restaurant is not overpriced, and its tasting menus are quite affordable.
- Address: Siam Kempinski Hotel, 991/9 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
- Opening Times: Open daily from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Recommended dishes: Either the 8-course or the 10-course menu.
- Prices: The 8-course menu starts at $62+ USD (2150++ THB) per head and $92.4 USD (3200++ THB) for the 10-course set.
Sorn
Sorn is consistently recognized as one of the best restaurants in Asia. They serve incredible Southern Thai cuisine and regularly appear on the Michelin guide. Unsurprisingly, the restaurant has quickly become one of the most difficult places to book a reservation. In this restaurant, you will have one of your life’s best Thai-inspired gastronomic experiences. The food is outstanding, and the service is arguably the best in Bangkok!
- Address: 56, Sukhumvit 26 Soi Ari, Klongton Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
- Opening Times: Open from Tuesday – Sunday from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: 22-course set menu.
- Prices: $187.7 USD (6500 THB) per person, excluding a 7% VAT charge.
Royal Osha
And to end our list of the best restaurants in Bangkok is the Royal Osha. Another impeccable fine-dining establishment, Royal Osha, serves highly sophisticated and delectable Thai cuisine. The decor in the restaurant is very grand, and it resembles a Thai Palace from the past. The A La Carte and the tasting menus are incredibly well prepared, and the ambiance is very elegant and relaxing. They serve food from all over the country, and the desserts are exceptional. This is also one of the few fine dining restaurants in Bangkok that have a lot of vegetarian dishes on their menu.
- Address: 99 Royal Resident Park Lumpini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
- Opening Times: Open from Tuesday – Wednesday and Friday – Sunday from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Recommended dishes: Duck spring rolls, Kurobuta Pork Loin, and Grilled Blue River Prawns in Tamarind sauce.
- Prices: The set menus start at 1890 THB for 5 courses and 3200 per person for a 7-course meal. The A La Carte menu ranges from 250- 1300 per dish.
Bangkok is a melting pot of the country’s various cultures and ethnicities. The city is synonymous with food, and the culinary culture of Bangkok is legendary. This guide should help pick some of the best local, casual, up-scale restaurants serving amazing Thai cuisine. Whether you prefer local street food or a fancy fine-dining establishment, Bangkok has something for everyone! However, there are too many restaurants in Bangkok to list, and this list represents just a handful of the amazing restaurants in Bangkok that serve the best Thai food in the world.
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